Internal combustion motor



June 28, 1932. H. KARL 1 INTERNAL COMBUSTION MOTOR Filed Aug. 16, 192611 1 vent-or WHMHMHUMM WUMHMMH.

io valves by i suiiiciently high temperature.

Patented June 28, 1 932 u rrEo STATES PAT ENT OFFICE V HEINRICH KARL, OFJERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY INTERNAL COMBUSTION MOTOR Application filedAugust 16, 1926. Serial No. 129,575.

n the improvements in the motor of this present application can be madeon any other system of internal combustion engines.

The improvements in the present application are, first, anarrangement'of chamber means of which a quantity of the exploded gasthat served or that did not serve for moving the piston outwardly isutilized again for igniting the new charge in the cylinder and thismethod of ignition peri5 mits the use of fuels for slow combustion whichare less expensive than gasoline, benzine, alcohol, etc, which is an.important factor for the economic running of automobiles, boats,machinery of every description, ships,

etc. These fuels usually need a great heat for their ignition and agreat volume of it and this is the reason why the electric spark usuallydoes not effect theignition of the I fuel especially when it (the fuelhas an inhere is still another cause that prevents the fuel, especiallythat of an oily character, from being ignited when electricity isemployed for this n purpose; it is the oil-that coats the spark plugsand thereby creates an insulation that prevents the formation of sparks.Also smoke deposits or carbon deposits from other fuels may wholly orpartly prevent the formation of sparks. 7

To the class of inexpensive fuels are ranged crude oil, kerosene,petroleum and naphtha. Then maybe also-gaseous fuels, as for instance,lighting gas utilized in this invention aswell as pulverulent fuels, butthe latter are 40 preferably mixed with liquid fuels, as, for instance,with crude, oil, kerosene, etc. 7

Another improvement is an arrangement of special igniting spaces withspark plugs, in

which small quantitiesof gasoline or of another rapidly exploding liquidfuel or, of a certain gas are to be ignited through the electric sparkand the thus formed explosion gas introduced into the working cylinderfor igniting the less expensive fuel therein especial- 1y for obtainingthe first outward stroke'of the piston whereafter part of the explosiongas of the inexpensive fuel is used for ignition purposes. Still anotherimprovement is the arrangement that permits a small quantity of therapidly exploding fuel such as gasoline or gas to be ignited by theelectric spark and then introduced into the working cylinder every timein which an ignition of a certain inexpensive fuel is to be madetherein,

which inexpensive fuel could not be ignited otherwise or only with greatdifiiculty chiefly on account of a too low temperature thereof. .Stillanother improvement of the invention is an arrangement in the workingcylinder for compressingair through the working piston and still anotherimprovement is a mechanism for automatically closing the exhaust pipe atcertain moments for preventing part of the compressed air to escapethrough this exhaust pipe. Another feature is the forming of a leak insaid exhaust pipe which leak can be made large or small according todesirability and which serves for avoiding a too high counter pressurethat would be exerted uponthe piston by the air that is gettingcompressed; still another feature is the arrangement of an air portopening and closing device that can be operated by hand through a handlesituated outside of the cylinder and i which serves for introducingcompressed air into the exterior part of the cylinder of certain simplemotors for moving the piston to its innermost position so that it willbe ready for its first outward stroke which will then 1 be caused by anexplosion of the charge. Other features will appear as the specificationprogresses.

In the accompanying drawing which is so laid out as to convenientlyillustrate the invention, the V Fig. 1 shows in elevation a section withparts broken away, of a motor having said improvements and having apiston that has no piston rod.

Fig. '2 show the cam 19 of Fig. 1 when it is looked at inthe directionof the arrow.

Fig. 3 shows a modification of the arrangementthat serves for conveyingthe fully expanded explosion gas that was nearest to the piston. and forholding it in reserve and for introducing it again into the workingcylinder for ignition purposes.

Fig. 4 shows a motor different from that of Fig. 1 and with severalworking cylinders of which one is shown in section, showing allimprovements of this invention and the pistons being provided withpiston rods thus permitting the pumping of a greater amount ofcompressed air than it is possible with the arrangement of Fig. 1.

Referring to Fig. 1, 11 represents the cylinder of the motor, 12 is thepiston therein, 13 is the pitman linked to both the piston 12 and to thecrank 14 of the crank shaft 15, 16 is a dentated wheel mounted on thecrank-shaft, which wheel serves for moving the endless chain 17 whichagain rotates the dentated wheel 18 that serves for revolving the hollowvalves 2 and 150 at the same ratio of the crank shaft. The hollow valves2 and 150 are also shown in my prior patent application Serial No.43,737. On the crank shaft 15 is also mounted an eccentric 19, the sideview of which is shown in Fig. 2 and this eccentric 19 operates a rod 20that is provided with the antifriction roller 20. A spring 21 is soarranged that it always tends to move the rod 20 upwardly against theeccentric circumference. At its lowermost part the rod 20 is providedwith an eye 21 through which the lever 22 of the chamber valve 23 ispassed. This chamber valve bein an essential part of the invention, ispreferably of cylindrical shape and fitted in the casing 24 which iseither united with the cylinder body by suitable means as screws or itmay be cast together with the cylinder. With the inner space of thecasing 24 communicates a conduit 25 and a port 26 and both communicatewith the interior of the cylinder 11, so however, that conduit 25terminates at a point that is still a little below the exhaust port 111in the cylinder while the port 26 is situated at the lower part of thecylinder.

The chamber valve 23 revolves partly in the casing 24 and has twoopenings 27, 28. At the moment in which the piston 12 reaches thepoint'a inthe cylinder, that is, shortly before the exhaust port 111 isuncovered by the piston 12, exploded fuel, that is, explosion gas,enters the conduit 25 and the chamber of the chamber valve 23 which atthis moment is so positioned that the opening 27 corresponds with thelower end of the conduit 25. At this moment, however, the port 26 isclosed by the wall of the chamber valve 23. While the piston 12 movesfurther upward the sharp curve 30 of the eccentric 19 moves the rod 20downwardly whereby the lever 22 and chamber valve will be so positionedthatathe opening 27 comes out of communication with the conduit 25 butwill face the wallet the casing 24 and consequently will be closedthereby. Exploded fuel, that is, fully expanded and therefore fullyheated explosion gas is thereby imprisoned for a certain length of time,that is, until the piston 12 reaches the point in the cylinder indicatedby b. At this moment the eccentric 19 pushes through its farthestextended curve 31 the rod 20 to its lowermost position and causes thechamber valve 23 to take the position in which the opening 28communicates with the port 26 and the imprisoned burned fuel being ofhigh pressure shoots through this port into the already compressed newcharge of fuel and air previously introduced into the cylinder throughthe opening 33 in the manner as has been explained already in my patentapplication Serial No. 43,737. Through its high temperature the sointroduced explosion gas ignites the fuel compounded with air in thecylinder and according to the nature of this fuel a slower or quickercombustion takes place. Part of this explosion gas enters immediatelyagain into the chamber 23. Assuming that crude oil is the fuel thatburns slower than lighting gas or gasoline, a slower operation of thepiston is therefore to be expected which is of advantage for the quietoperation of the motor and for the feeding with fuel and the igniting ofit. If high speed is desired then a transmission gear can be providedfor that may have the desired ratio such asshown in Fig. 4 which will bedescribed subsequently.

lNhen the piston 12 reaches its outermost position on its outward strokethe exhaust port 111 will be uncovered and the burnt gases (except thosealready entered into the chamber valve 23) will be exhausted'wherebycompressed air (without fuel) blown at this moment through the orificeof the hollow valve 150 and channel 35 scavenges the cylindercompletely'and cools also the cylinder wall and the piston to a certainextent.

'The immediate recharging with the fuel compound takes place as soon asthe piston starts to make its inward stroke. It has been mentionedalready that spark plugs in the working cylinder will be covered by anoily deposit if oily fuels are employed for operating the motor andsmoke or carbon will also cover the surfaces of the spark-plugs if coaldust or pulverulent fuels are used whereby the formation of electricsparks is prevented. It is necessary, however, to use the electric sparkfor the ignition of the gasoline or gas that serves again for ignitingthe charge in the working cylinder and also for starting the motor. Forthis purpose a small explosion chamber 35 is arranged which communicateswith the cylinder 11 by means of the pipe 35awhich will be automaticallyopened and closed by the valve 44,

and into this explosionchamber extend two spark plugs 36 which are inelectrical connection with-the battery 37. These electrical connectionsare: To the positive side-of the battery is connected'the wire 38 whichis also connected to the right side spark plug 36. To the negative sideof the battery is connected the wire 39, then follows the switch 40,after which the wire 41 follows in the partial circuit. Instead ofhaving this wire directly connected to the left side spark plug 36 it isconnected to a contact 42 which will be contacted by a contact on thevalve lever 43 when it is moved into the position in which it opens thevalve 44 which takes place when the piston is in its innermost position.To the contact on lever 43 is connected the wire 45 whose other end isconnected to the left side spark plug 36. It is thus shown that when theswitch 40 is closed and the contact on valve lever 43 contacts with thecontact 42 the circuit is so far closed and sparks are produced betweenthe two points of the spark plugs 36. Valve 44 is automatically operatedfrom rod 20 whereby also the switch contact on valve lever 43 will becontacted automaticallywith and again disconnected from the contact 42at the proper time. If only one working cylinder is employed in themotor it will be necessary for starting purposes to turn the balancewheel 46 so that the piston will assume its innermost position. 47 isthe container for the rapidly exploding gas or liquid fuel and byturning the cock 48 to open position a more or less great quantity ofthis fuel is permitted to flow into thepipe 49 and to the junction withpipe 50 from where it will be blown into the explosion chamber 35 by thecompressed air flowing through pipe 50. This pipe communicates with thecompressed air reservoir 52 and can be closed by means of the cock 51.lhere will not be backfiring when the explosion takes place because astopper 4941 will be pushed thereby against the narrow port formed bythe junction of the two pipes 49 and 50 which lies right behind thisstopper and thus closes this port. There may be more than one stopperemployed in pipe 49. If the motor is started the cocks 48 and 51 canthen be placed into closed position if the explosion gas of the inexensive fuel ignites the fresh charges in the cylinder. This may not bethe case until the cylinder wallsand the inner surface of the piston isheated to some extent which is necessary for heating also the atomizedfresh charges which is obtained after a few strokes of the pistonwhereby the rapidly exploding fuel of the container 47 is used forigniting the charges that cause these first strokes of the piston. Thereis also an electric connection with a small electric motor 53 thatserves for operating an air pump 54 of the rotary type so thatsuificient compressed air will be provided for and pumped into thereservoir 52 if the pressure therein should be insufficient. The motor53' will be operated if the switch 55 will be closed whereby the batteryr furnishes the electric energy. During the operation of the motor airwill also be compressed and pressed into the reservoir 52 by themovement of the working piston 12. This piston has therefore two hollowor solid extensions which are provided with top parts 59, 60 which fitto and move in slots 61, 62

respectively that communicate through a pipe 63. At each downward strokeof the piston 12 the air will be sucked in and will pass through port 64on the inside of which is secured a flap that closes that port as soonas there will be counter pressure from the air in the slots whichhappens when the piston 12 starts for its outward stroke. During thisstroke the air in the slots 61, 62 will be compressed and forces thevalve head of valve 66 against the pressure of a spring to open thevalve port and the compressed air flows then through pipe 68 to the airreservoir 52, that may have a release valve for preventing atoo highpressure. By turning the cock 69 to open position the compressed airflows through pipe 84 to the hollow valves 2 and 150 being hollow bodiespreferably united and their cavities communicating, and blows at certainmoments through the apertures 3 and 151. The inexpensive fuel iscontained in the container 70 and iscccnveyed by means of a helice 71 tothe free space left in chamber 72 after the cock 7 3 has been put toopen position so that the contents could flow through pipe 75 to thehelice 71'. The hollow valve 2 has not a complete cylindrical shape likethe hollow valve 150 which is rigidly united therewith, but only threequarters of its outer surface lays against and therefore moves alsoclosely on the inner surface of the cylindrically shaped wall thatencloses chamber 72. is

It is thus shown that a free space is left between one of the sides ofthe hollow valve 2 (the side that is opposite from that on which theapertures 3 and the rib 4 are situated) and the wall of chamber 72. Thisfree space serves for receiving a certain quantity of fuel which flowstherein, or which is forced therein through the movement of the helice71. Through the revolving movement of the hollow valve 2, said freespace communicates at times with the fore-chamber 74 and part of thefuel contained in said free space'will be forced into the fore-chamber74 by the pressure exerted upon the fuel chiefly through the movement ofthe helice 71. According to Fig. 4, however, that will be describedlater, the fuel will fall or flow into the forechamber 74 because theforechamber 74 is situated below'the chamber 72 which is the equivalentof the chamber 72 of Fig. 1.

If said free space left in chamber 72 does d es not communicate directlywith the fore'chamber 74, only a small quantity of fuel will be allowedto enter this fore-chamber by way of: the circumferential channel 72aprovided for on the inside surface of chamber 72 and which serves thepurpose of the rib! 4: to move therein when the hollow valve 2 revolves.

It is thus shown that the rib 4 acts also (besides its chief function,namely as the engaging means for the valve stem 5, as will be pointedout later) as a means for shoving a small amount of fuel into theforechamber 74-. The fuel introduced into the fore-chamber 74 remainsthere only as long until the apertures 3- arrive at the lower opening ofthis fore-chamber. At this moment the accumulated fuel therein will beblown into the cylinder 11 and atomized therein through the compressedair blowing through the apertures 3 while the rib 4 situated betweenthese two apertures shifts at this moment the Valve stem 5 by pushing itagainst the pressure of a spring that is coiled around that valve stem,and opens thereby the passage 33. The speed of the motor can beregulated by placing the cocks 69 and 73 to such position that opens orcloses the re spective pipes more or less and so regulate thesupply offuel and compressed air.

In Fig. 3 there is a second chamber valve 23a arranged and the explosiongas enters first into the chamber of the chamber valve 23a wherea-fterit flows to the chamber 23 and when the piston is in its lowermostposition the passage 28a comes in alignment with the passage 26a and theexplosion gas is released and blows into the combustibles in thecylinder 11. The arrangement of two chamber valves as exemplified inFig. 3 has for its object to prevent compressed air from entering theconduit 25a when the piston makes its outward stroke. In Fig. 3 thepiston is provided with a piston rod that is rigidly united with thepiston and from the description of Fig. 4 in which a similar arrangementis made it will be shown that more compressed air will be obtained byeach piston stroke than it is possible with the arrangement of Fig. 1.

In Fig. 4 the schemeis in general the same as in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 andtherefore the same reference numerals are employed as in Figs. 1, 2 and3, with the distinction that a quotation mark is added for parts thatare of the same character and function as those shown in Figs. 1, 2 and3; a general description of these parts is deemed not to be necessaryand is therefore omitted. In Fig. 4 the working cylinders 11 arearranged above the crank. shaft 15, while in Figs. 1 and 3 the workingcylinder is arranged below the crank shaft but this is simplya matter ofconstructive necessity and the motor of Fig. 4 could as well be employedfor operating an automobile or a boat, or it may be employed foroperating machinery of any description. It is assumed that the motor ofFig. 1 is used for operating an automobile and as there is speed neededin such case a gearing transmission 80 is made at the rate of about 1 to5. 81 is the clutch that can be of the most improved type. The cylinder11 is closed at its outer end by the wall 11a and only a hole is left atits center through which the piston rod 12a is passed and guided in itsup and down movement. In the space 61a that lies between the piston andthe wall 11a atmospheric air will be sucked in when the piston makes itsinward stroke and the so sucked in air will be compressed while thepiston 12 makes its outward stroke and this compressed air is forcedthrough the valve 66 and flows to the reservoir 52. In order to preventthe compressed air from escaping through the exhaust port 111 in thecylinder a valve 86 is arranged in the exhaust pipe 111a close to thecylinder and is operated by an eccentric rod a in a somewhat similarmanner as the chamber valves 23 and 23a are operated so however that theexhaust port will be fully opened when the piston 12 reaches itsoutermost position. The eccentric therefor can be arranged on thecrankshaft, in Fig. 4, however, it is arranged on the revolving pipe 2athat is rigidly united with the hollow valves 2 and 150. The valve 86may be so positioned as to leak as will be explained hereafter. On therevolving pipe 2a is also arranged the dentated wheel 18 which therefore shows a slightly different arrangement from that indicated by 18 inFig. 1. The end of said revolving pipe is fitted in the stable part 83that corresponds with that indicated by 83 in Fig. 1, and the pipe 84corresponds with the pipe 84 of Fig. 1. There is still anotherarrangement that is different from that of Fig. 1 and this refers to aspecial chamber 236 that communicates with the explosion chamber and atcertain moments with the chambers of the chamber valves 23. If theswitch will be closed and the cocks 48 and 51 opened so that quickexploding fuel is introduced into the explosion chamber 35 where it willbe brought to explosion, the explosion gas shoots into the chamber 23?)and from there into the chambers of the two chamber valves 23 if not thewall of the one or the other of these chambers closes the communicationof these chambers with that indicated by 236 which occurs at times forpreventing back-firing at the moments in which the respective piston 12is in its innermost position and while it makes the outward stroke inwhich position however the chamber of the chamber valve 23 communicateswith the interior of the cylinder and consequently releases theexplosion gas previously introduced therein either from the explosionchamber 35' or from the cylinder 11 from which it took the way tochamber of chamber valve 23a and through pipe 25a. The contacts 42 and acontact 43 are arranged forthe sake of safety and they will be contactedonly when the cock a l is in open position, and as these contacts are inthe circuit with battery 37' a formation of sparks between the points ofthe spark plugs 36 takes place only when these contacts contact, thatis, when the cock fat is in open position.

It is obvious that there can be arranged as many cylinders 11 as isdesired and that the cylinders can be arranged closely one to anotherfor minimizing the space they would take. A special electric motor 53and special air pump 54 is not shown in Fig. 4, but it can be arrangedas well for pumping air into the reservoir 52 if the pressure therein isinsufficient.

In Fig. 1 it is not to be feared that a too strong counterpressure ofthe air being compressed is exerted upon the piston when it makes itsoutward stroke. This, however, may be the case in the motor of Fig. 4 inwhich a far greater amount of air is compressed at each outward strokeof the piston 12, especially if small firing charges are introduced atthe interior end of the cylinder 11. In the latter case it is desirableto employ a device in form of a screw 90 that puts the lever of thevalve or cock 86 in such position that the exhaust pipe 111a will not becompletely closed when the piston makes its outward stroke. Hereby theair in space 61a can escape partly through the exhaust pipe 111a and thecounterpressure exerted upon the piston will not be too strong. By meansof the screw 90 the desired leak can be regulated and completely closed,if a high pressure of air is needed in the reservoir 52. For startingthe motor it is necessary that the piston 12 of Fig. 1 or 12' of Fig. 4is in its innermost position such as shown by that situated in the rightside cylinder of Fig. 4. For bringing the piston to said position if itis not already there, the shaft 92 is to be temporarily disconnectedfrom the driving mechanism by means of the clutch 81 and simplycompressed air needs to be introduced into the spaces 61, 62 of Fig. 1or 61a of Fig. 4 that pushes then the piston to its innermost position.This is simply made by retracting the stopper 66a from the air port (seeFig. 4;) whereby counterpressure of the spring 67 will be encountered.For this purpose a needle or thin rod 93 is fastened to the stopper 66a,and passed through a tightly fitting channel in the valve casing 9%. Theouter end of the pin may be provided with a handle or ring to permit thepulling thereof and consequently also of the stopper 66a against thepressure of the spring 67 and of the compressed air. Upon the opening ofthe port compressed air flows into the space 61a and moves the piston 12to its innermost position. If a larger'number of cylinders is employedthen it will not be necessary to push one of the pistons to itsinnermost position because'one of these pistons will be already in thatposition. If then a firing charge has been introduced before, that is,when the cooks 73', 69' have been opened (69 is not shown in Fig. 4, itserves the same purpose as the cook 69 in Fig. '1) and if the cocks 18'and 51 have been opened before and if the switch 40 has been closed thefirst outward firing of the piston by means of explosion gas takes placewhereafter the switch 40 can be opened again because the ignition takesplace through the explosion gas that wasformed in the cylinder 11 and.conveyed through pipes 25a, 25a to the chamber of the chamber valves 23,23. i

An addition in'this invention that will prove to be of value is thearrangement of two holes that can be closed if not needed by means ofstoppersthat have screw windings and these holes are made on the side ofthe'inlet port 33 of Fig.1 or 33 of Fig. 4 so that this inlet port laysbetween said two holes that may be provided with a screw winding so thatspark plugs having insulating material in parts maybe screwed in andpositioned in a manner as exemplified in my prior patent application,Serial No. 43,737 inwhich the points of the spark plugs are touched bythe enlarged end of the valve stem 5 when this valve stem opens theinlet port 33 or 33 preventing thereby the formation of sparks whereby,however, sparks will be formed when the valve stem 5 moves away andstays away from the spark plug points in which position it closes theinlet port 33, or 33. These spark plugs may be screwed in'only when afuel is to be used that does not make oily or smoky deposits on thepoints of the spark plug and the spark plugs may be removed again andthe stoppers placed in lieu thereof if the aforesaid inexpensive fuelsare to be employed. 7

This description and the drawing illustrate only a few examples of howthe invention can be carried out and I am aware that still otherarrangements are possible which still are in the spirit and scope ofthis in vention.

I claim:

1. In an internal combustion motor comprising a working cylinder andworking piston therein which latter is provided with a piston rod, awall on the exterior part of said working cylinder, and an aperture insaid wall through which said piston rod is passed, said wall closing aspace in said cylinder that is periodically enlarged and reduced by theworking piston when the motor is in function, an inlet port foratmospheric air opened at the inward stroke of said working piston andclosed at the outward stroke thereof, a port communicating with an airreservoir and adapted to be opened at the outward stroke of the pistonand closed at the inward stroke 6 nsozaeaa thereof, an engine exhaustport in communicationrwith saidspace in said working cylin-- der, ameans for completely automatically closing said exhaust port at certainperiods and means for manually regulating said means for permitting aleak of air to a more or less great extent according to desirability.

2. In an internal combustion motor comprising a working cylinder and aWorking piston therein and means for periodically introducing in saidcylinder a charge of relatively'slow-burning fuel and air, comprisingalso means for exploding the first charges or all of them when the fuelhas a too low temperature, by means of explosion gas suppliedseparately, a means for making and for preventing communication betweenthe working cylinder and the device that separately supplies saidexplosion gas, an exhaust port in said cylinder, another port in itsituated a little nearer to the interior end of the cylinder than saidexhaust port and a valve automatically closing at times and openingagain said other port for receiving an amount of explosion gas that hasbeen expanded to the capacity of the working cylinder just before theexhaust takes place, and a conduit leading from said other port to achamber valve also automatically operated and a chamber therein adaptedto communicate at times with said conduit and at other times also withthe interior of said cylinder, said chamherin said chamber valve therebyreceiving completely burned explosion gas from said cylinder by way ofsaid other port and conduit, a port situated at the interior end of thecylinder and opened by said chamber valve when the-piston is in itsinnermost position permitting thereby the explosive gas in said chamberto flow into the cylinder and ignite the new charge of fuel and airtherein.

'3. In an internal combustion motor com prising a working cylinder aworking piston therein and an exhaust port in the cylinder, a closedspace formed between the piston and the exterior end of the cylinder, aninlet port and a port communicating with a compressed air reservoir, avalve adapted to close at times said exhaust port and means forautomatically operating this valve, an additional means for placing saidvalve in a position to form a leak and thereby permit part of thecompressed air to esca e through said leak in the exhaust port, themeans causing said leak adapted to make the leak larger or smalleraccording to desirability.

In witness whereof I have afiixed my signature.

HEINRICH KARL.

